Babushahi Special: Punjab farmers stare at massive loss after hailstorm fury
By Ashok Verma
Bathinda (Punjab), April 4, 2026:In the heart of Punjab, where wheat once symbolised security and pride, despair now stands tall over flattened fields. Unseasonal rain, hailstorms and gusty winds have dealt a crushing blow to farmers in the Malwa belt, turning months of hard work into loss overnight.
Across Bathinda and adjoining areas, thousands of acres of ripe wheat crop—ready for harvest—have been destroyed. In Sangat block alone, villages like Lulbai, Bahadurgarh Jandian, Jai Singh Wala, Raike Kalan and Gurusar Sainewala have reported extensive damage, with nearly 2,000 acres affected. Similar devastation has been reported from Maur, Talwandi Sabo and Rampura regions, pushing total losses in the belt to tens of thousands of hectares.
For farmers, the loss is not just agricultural—it is deeply personal. “We raise these crops like our children,” said one distressed farmer, staring at his flattened fields. Another farmer, Dharampal Singh, was left shaken after witnessing the destruction, calling it “a shock too heavy to bear.”
In many villages, up to 80% of the crop has reportedly been destroyed. Strong winds and hailstorms have scattered standing wheat across fields, raising fears not only of reduced yield but also of mounting economic distress. With crops lying on the ground, harvesting costs are expected to rise sharply, further deepening losses.
The crisis extends beyond fields. Several houses have also been damaged in the region, while neighbouring districts like Mansa have reported similar crop losses. According to initial estimates, over 40,000 hectares across the Malwa region have been affected, although farmers claim the actual damage may be even higher.
Voicing concern, Jagsir Singh Jhumba said the situation reflects the worsening agrarian crisis. “For farmers, crops are not just produce—they are their blood and sweat. With crops destroyed, debts will rise and the risk of suicides cannot be ignored,” he warned.
Officials from the Agriculture Department have begun preliminary assessments. Dr. Harbans Singh Sidhu confirmed that initial reports have been sent to higher authorities, adding that the exact extent of damage will be determined after a detailed girdawari (crop survey).
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for further unstable weather over the next 24 hours, raising fresh concerns for farmers whose crops are already on the brink.
As Punjab’s farmers stare at ruined harvests, a painful question lingers in the fields: when the breadwinner itself is broken, where does one go to hide the loss?